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A new program called “Point 6” was launched this week by the Albuquerque-based Archaeological Conservancy as an emergency acquisition project intended to purchase and preserve significant sites in immediate danger of destruction.

The Point-6 Program is the sixth phase of the “Protect Our Irreplaceable National Treasures,” introduced in 2000 with a $1-million challenge grant the Conservancy through the support of members, foundations and corporations, matched dollar for dollar to receive the funds.

The overwhelming success of the program prompted five additional phases of the project. Inspired by the past success of POINT and driven by the impact of the emergency funds on our preservation efforts, Conservancy board member, Leslie Masson and her husband Colin, have pledged a $1-million challenge grant to launch the POINT-6 Program. Leslie Masson is described as passionate about archaeology and preservation of national prehistoric heritage.

The greatest obstacle in saving sites is money. Realizing this, the Massons made the challenge grant with the expectation of building on the success of past POINT programs. The $1-million gift must be matched dollar for dollar by June 2019. The money will be used quickly to acquire highly endangered archaeological sites around the nation, sites that are in imminent danger of being destroyed or sold, as well as those sites for which a cash offer is required for purchase.

“Our POINT program has a proven record that enables the Conservancy to save eminently endangered archaeological sites. This new phase will build on that success.” Conservancy President Mark Michel stated in a release from the organization.

The POINT-6 Program will focus primarily on sites in five geographic regions, as well as the sites of one national culture, the Paleo-Indians, who were the earliest inhabitants of the Americas. Although any endangered site of national significance will be eligible for protection under the program, regional preservation will focus on the Great Basin archaeology of the West; Four Corners archaeology of the Southwest; Algonquian and Iroquois village sites of the Northeast; Mississippian sites in the Southeast; and Moundbuilder sites of the Ohio Valley.

To date, the Conservancy has protected 134 highly threatened sites throughout the nation through the POINT Program. By taking a thematic approach, the Conservancy will ensure that endangered sites are preserved for posterity, saving pieces of America’s prehistory.

The Archaeological Conservancy, established in 1980, is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to acquiring and preserving the best of the nation's remaining archaeological sites. Based in Albuquerque, the Conservancy also operates regional offices in Mississippi, Maryland, Ohio, and California. The Conservancy continues to be rated a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator. The Conservancy has preserved more than 500 sites across the nation, ranging in age from the earliest habitation sites in North America to a 19th-century frontier army post.